Gas-igniter.



R. E. BERTHOLD.

GAS IGNITER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11, 1914.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914 7H5 NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTOLITHOW WASHINGTON. D C

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GAS-IGNITER.

Application filed February 11, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD E. BnR'rHoLn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Richmond Hill, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas- Igniters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to igniting devices for gas burners wherein catalytic material such as spongy platinum is supported in the presence of issuing gas with communicating platinum strands to assume incandescence and ignite the gas, and my present improvement has particular reference to the auxiliary tube supporting the catalytic material, the character of the bypass from the burner tube to said auxiliary tube, the manually operated valve controlling said bypass, the air supply means to said auxiliary tube, and the general construction and arrangement of the parts herein shown and described.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved igniter. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4: is a plan View of the fastening plate. Fig. 5 is an end view of said plate, and Fig. 6 is a detail of the support for the incandescent material.

In said figures a indicates an ordinary burner tube with tip 6. Attached to said burner tube, at the side thereof, is a rectangular block 0, having a horizontal orifice 0 extending through its center and communicating with the interior of burner tube a through an alined orifice a in the adjacent side of said burner tube. The upper surface of block 0 has a turned hub or boss 0 in which is a cap-shaped depression 0 which at its base communicates, through a tiny orifice c penetrating the intervening material of block 0, with the interior of orifice 0. In said orifice o is rotatably fitted a spindle valve d, whose forward end approaches the orifice a in burner tube a, said spindle having an axial passage d extending from its forward end rearwardly to a point beneath orifice 0*, in whose vertical axis the valve is drilled to form a tiny ori fice (Z whereby said valve may be turned to shut off communication between orifices 0, (Z or to place them in communicable alinement.

Spindle valveit extends outwardly beyond block 0 and there has an annular groove (i in which a Washer plate 6, hav- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914:.

Serial No. 817,959.

ing a semi-circular depression 6 fits in the manner of a collar, thereby serving as a lock to retain spindle (Z in operative position, while permitting it to be rotated in the performance of its functions. Plate 6 is se cured to block a and may be formed by stamping or otherwise and may have two extensions or pins, as 0 6 which project forwardly from said plate, one from its upper corner and the other from its lower corner.

The outer portion of spindle (Z is provided with a rod 7' extended transversely therethrough, one end of said rod being adapted to vibrate between said pins which thus form stops or limits to its movement in opposite directions in the rocking of the spindle valve, and the other end of said rod having a chain or other attached pendant 9 whereby it may be operated in one direction.

A spring wire as h, secured to rod f, wound about spindle (Z and secured to the lower pin a, exerts tension to normally hold the free end of rod 7 against the upper surface of pin a, in which position the opposite end of rod f with chain 7 attached will be held normally elevated. Also in this position the orifice (P, in spindle valve (Z is out of alinement with orifice 0*. WVhen the chain is pulled down until the free end of rod 7 is checked against the upper pin 6', orifice (I will be brought into alinement with orifice 0". Obviously, upon releasing hold on chain 9 the spring it again turns the valve to close the orifices.

Fitting upon block 0, over hub 0 is a tube 2' which is thus ranged alongside and parallel to burner tube a. Said tube 2' contains the catalytic material which is carried by a frame 9' (Fig. 6), said frame being slidably fitted in said tube. Said frame j is of substantially squared C form, the upper bar having a. nick to locate the platinum strands and the lower bar having several nicks to receive and spread the individual strands. The pellet of spongy platinum is supported near the upper bar and centers the several platinum strands at that point. The tube 21 is provided with one or more orifices 2" near its base and below the frame 7' aforesaid, its purpose being to supply auxiliary air under pressure in the manner of a Bunsen burner.

In the operation of the igniter, assuming gas to be flowing through burner tube a, in order to ignite the gas issuing from said burner, the chain 9 is pulled upon until rod f, in the turning of spindle Z, is stopped against pin 6. The pilot passage will now be clear through orifices d (Z and 0*, and the pilot stream of gas passing upwardly through tube 2' and, over the catalytic -material therein, will take with it indrawn air through orifices 2', creating a gaseous miX- ture which upon ignition will eifect a-high state of combustion, avoiding the formation of deleterious carbonaceous deposits upon the igniting material, and hence prolonging the life thereof. lVhen the et of pilot flame from tube 2' has performed its function of igniting the gas issuing from burner 64 the chain 9 may be released, whereupon the spring it will automatically rotatethe spindle valve to its closed position.

I claim:

1. A gas ignitercomprising a burnertube, an adjacent pilot tube parallel therewith and having means for the admission of air near its base, said pilot tube being imperforate above said air admission means, a valve block for said pilot tube, said valve block having a passage communicating from said burner tube to said pilot tube, a valve in said valve block to control said passage, and igniting material supported in said pilot tube.

2. In a gas igniter having a burner tube and a pilot tube parallel therewith, a rectangular valve block for said pilot tube attached to the Wall of said burner tube, said block having a horizontal passage, a spindle valve fitting in said passage and extending to but not beyondthe Wall of said burner tube, said valve having an axial passage in communication with an orifice through said burner tube wall, said axial passage also communicating by a radial orifice through the spindle, and the upper portion of said valve block having a vertical orifice leading to the pilot tube, together with means for turning said valve to open and'close the passages through said spindle and block.

3. A gas igniter comprising a burner tube and a pilot tube parallel therewith, a rectangular valve block attached to the wallof said burner tube to support said pilot tube, a spindle valve in said valve block controlling a pilot .passage therein, and having an annular groove, a flat plate secured to the end vertical surface of said block and entered in said groove to retain thespindle in operative position, a lever to actuate the spindle to open the pilot passage, a spring to retract said spindle, and pins extending from said plate to serve as stops for said lever in the open and closed positions of the valve.

Signed at the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county andv State of New York, this 7th day of February, A. D. 1914.

RICHARD E. BERTHOLD.

Witnesses:

F; W. BARKER, HARRY J NEUSOHAFER.

Gopiea at thin patentmay berobtained. for five cents each, by addreaaing the "Commissioner er Batentt. Washington, D. IE. 

